Vehicle-hub



(NoModl.) Y

' J. L. JOHNSTON.

VEHICLE HUB. A

Patented Sept. 21.1886.

v tion of the inner ends of the spokes than has lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. JOHNSTQN, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS.y

VEHICL E-HUB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,433, dated September 21, 1886.'

l Applicaticn filed July 3, 1.886. Serial No. 207,093. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .li-inns L. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State 0f Kansas, have invented new and useful Iniprovements in Vehicle-Hub Rings and Spoke- Sockets, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in hubs and spoke-sockets for vehicle-wheels; and it consists, substantiall y, in the same as constructed, and .in such other details and combinations of parts as will hereinafter be distinctly described, and pointed out in the claims.

The general objects of the invention will'appear from the description hereinafter following'; and in carrying out the invention I employ an axle-box and hub-rings of such peculiarities of construction as that the latter are held or maintained positively against axial movement with respect to the former, a maximum degree of strength attained from a minimum amount of material, and a consequent decrease in the weight of the parts; and, further, the spoke-sockets are'so formed as to facilitate a much easier and more rapid inserheretofore been accomplished by inventions of a like character.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a longitudinal sectional view of axlebox and hub-rings constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents au inner plan or face view cf one of the hub-rings; and Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of the box and ring, taken on the line .fc rv of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a modification.

Reference being had to the several parts by the letters marked thereon, A denotes an axlebox constructed in accordance with my invention, the saine being formed screw-threaded at one end and enlarged at the other, as shown. Formed with and surrounding the said box adjacent to its enlarged end is a collar or circumferential ange, a, while at a point of' said flange a projection or lug, b, is provided. This lug tapers inwardly at the sides in the form of a wedge, as shown, and is designed to enter a correspondingly-shaped recess on the inner side of' the hub-ring, by which the box is prevented from movement when properly placed within the latter. Y y

B- B represent the hub-rings, which are counterparts in construction, the same being of the inner ends of' the spokes, the said sockets of each ring tending or iuclining slightly toward those of its fellow, as shown, in order that the spokes will be given the proper dish7 or relativeness. These rings are placed with the sockets c of one alternat- 'ng in position with the sockets of the other,

this being usual in the present class of vehiclewheels. The inner sides of the rings are made at right angles, and they are supported and connected interior-ly by radial webs or partitions d, each one of which, if continued across the ring, would pass through its center, thus providing wedge-shaped recesses e between them, into which the wedge-shaped lug b on the axlebox is received when properly placed into the hub-rings. By this construction of hub-ring it will be seen that a great saving of material is effected, together with a reduction in weight of the several parts, while at'the same time the greatest amount of strength is obtained. The webs d, concentrating toward the center of the rings, bear upon the perimeter of the axle-box, thus equalizing the strain imposed on the rings. The end and edge of each web or partition are giooved, as shown at f, for the purpose of receiving the projection formed by the manner of iitting up the box, thereby allowing the edge of the ring to fit snugly against the collar a when the box is inserted.` It will be apparent that in consequence of the spaces c no difficulty will be experienced in adjusting or replacing the box into the rings, since all that is required is to simply force the box in with little or no turning thereof'. It

will be seen that the webs d are so disposed as to be brought beneath the sockets c, (this being preferred, although I do not coniine myself to this precise location,) by which it is evident that additional strength is ai'i'orded the same and an increased resistance supplied against theforce necessary to insert the spokes, and also prevents the box from Working loose in the rings.

fi represents an opening or vent that is formed either at the base of the sockets, as

IOO

55 formed with radial sockets c for the reception shown in Fig. 3, or the same may be formed in the side thereof, as indicated in Fig. l. In the present class of inventions it has formerly been quite difficult to insert the spokes into their sockets as tightly as is requisite, for the reason that a certain amount of air is always contained in the latter, which beeomeseompressed in the bottom of the sockets and does not allow the spokes to be driven entirely to the bottom. By the employment of these openings the air contained in the sockets is forced out on'the insertion of the spokes, and thus is the difficulty which has heretofore been attendant on this operation greatly lessened.

Heretofore it has been found necessary to at first insert the spokes into their sockets and drive them down or in as far as possible, and then wait until the contained air has escaped or become absorbed, and again subject the spokes to a further force to insure their tightness of fit; but with my construction this is entirely obviated, and the spokes may be inserted and driven very tightly into place at one operation. It will be seen thatthe ring which is engaged and held by the projecti nglug of the box will, by virtue of the spoke and rim connection usually made, also prevent movement of vthe other ring, and the prime feature of constructing the two rings alike is that the parts will be of equal symmetryand weight, and that the box can be inserted in the wheel irrespective of the side at which it is int-roduced.

C represents a rubber cushion or ring which is placed between the rings before the box is inserted, the same being of ordinary form; and D designates anut for forcing the hub-rings together to compensate for looseness of the spokes.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a wheel embodying the features herein named can be constructed at a much less Cost than those heretofore employed for the same purpose, and its simplicity and other valuable characteristics will bc equally manifest.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A hub-ring for vehicles, provided with radial spoke-sockets and having the webs or ribs d, notched or recessed at their ends, sub stantially as described.

2. A hub-ring for vehicles, provided with radial'spoke-sockets having each an opening or vent, and formed with the webs d, having notched or recessed ends, substantially as described.

8. A hub for vehicles, consisting of two rings, each of which is provided with radial spoke sockets and recessed on. their inner sides, the said recesses being formed in the webs d, as and in the manner described.

4. The combination, with the axle-box having the wedge-shaped lug I), of the rings B B, having the webs d and intermediate spaces for the reception of the lug, substantially as de scribed.

5. The combination, with the axle-box having the flange a and lug b, of the rings B B, having the webs d, recessed at their ends, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof' I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES L. JOHNSTON.

'Vitnesses:

E. L. SMITH, XV. XV. MITCHELL. 

